Motorbase Performance fired up for BTCC return

August 4th 2015

Motorbase Performance is all set for its highly anticipated return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) as the second half of the season gets underway at Norfolk's Snetterton circuit this coming weekend (August 8/9).

Round six sees David Bartrum's squad return to the packed BTCC grid with its duo of Ford Focus ST's piloted by returning BTCC fans' favourite Mat Jackson and former Formula Ford champion James Cole, and all eyes will be on the #4 and #44 cars as they take to the track in anger for the first time powered by the new 2-litre mountune™ engine.

"This weekend is huge for us;" said Motorbase Performance Team Principal David Bartrum. "It's a relief to finally be on the BTCC grid after all of the hard work which has been going on behind the scenes at Motorbase and everyone in the team is really looking forward to it."

After topping the time sheets during the recent Dunlop tyre test; confidence is high within the camp but the Motorbase Team Boss insists that his team is well aware of how challenging re-joining the competitive grid at the mid-way point will be.

"We had a great test here a few weeks ago but it's time to get down to serious business again after a long break;" Bartrum added. "We're under no illusions that we've still got a lot of work to do, but we're really keen to get back out on track and to see where we are."

"The grid has moved on a lot in the time that we've been away but both Mat and James are up for the challenge, as is the whole team."

Historically Snetterton has been a good hunting ground for the Focus ST. Most notably the NGTC made its debut here in 2012 with Mat Jackson claiming a fourth place finish only hours after it rolled out of the workshop, and with final preparations for the pivotal weekend well underway Bartrum is hopeful of another successful debut.

"We don't have the championship position to worry about so we're aiming for wins and podiums from the off;" he concluded.

"I'm looking forward to getting back out there and mixing things up a bit!"

Driver quotes:

#4 Mat Jackson:
"It's great to be back on the grid; I just want to get out there and ruffle up some feathers! The Dunlop test proved that we've got the pace in the car and we're in a good place to be coming back to the BTCC and hopefully challenging for podiums. That's certainly the plan and that's what we intend to do."

#44 James Cole:
"It's great to be back on the BTCC grid again. I've never jumped in mid-season before and I'm looking forward to seeing where we are compared with everyone else. We've spoken about it and tested etc. but you never really know for sure until you're in the thick of it.

"I think this weekend should be very interesting!"

Round 6 featuring races 16, 17 and 18 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship takes place at Snetterton circuit on August 8/9. Live coverage of Sunday's event will be shown on ITV4 and itv.com and also in HD from 11am – 6.05pm; with itv.com featuring live streaming of Saturday's qualifying session between 3.45 and 4.15pm.